Related Headlines

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - LAPD Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph has been walking the streets of Skid Row for the last 18 years.

It’s a police beat most people would never want, but Officer Joseph wouldn’t have it any other way.

He has a passion for helping the people of Skid Row and keeping them safe from criminals. Within the last few years, Skid Row has become increasingly more dangerous with gang members, loan sharks, pimps and hustlers invading the area and preying on the most vulnerable.

“You got to understand that every block is controlled by a gang. If you try to set up a tent, they’re gonna come to you and say, ‘Hey if you want to be here, guess what, you got to put in the work.’"

Many of these individuals owe drug debts. So they’re more than willing to cooperate with the gang members, either out of fear or to work off their drug debt and support their habit and that's why things are getting worse and worse and worse.”